Avocados have long been recognised for their nutritional value. Is it possible that applying avocado oil to the hair will help to keep it strong and healthy?
Proper hair cleanliness and taking good care of one’s hair can have a significant impact on how shiny and healthy one’s hair appears. Certain oils can also be beneficial in terms of maintaining the strength and smoothness of the hair.
As a result of its high concentration of vitamins, antioxidants, and monounsaturated fatty acids, avocado or persea gratissima oil may provide a number of distinct health benefits.
Using avocado oil in the hair has numerous advantages, and this article will explain how to use it in hair masks and scalp massages, as well as the potential hazards associated with these treatments.
Benefits
Oils have an important function in preventing hair from breaking. The oil produced by a person’s scalp is natural, but an imbalance in the amount of oil produced or environmental variables can cause a person’s hair to become dry or brittle.
According to a research report published in 2015 by Trusted Source, applying certain types of vegetable oils near the scalp can coat the hair follicles, preventing damage at the base of the hair and hair from breaking later on as it grows out.
Some oils are more effective for this purpose than others. Polyunsaturated fats are less effective at penetrating the hair than saturated and monounsaturated oils in this regard. Avocado oil contains monounsaturated fats, which makes it a wonderful choice for hair treatments because it is moisturising.
Avocado oil also includes vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which some feel might assist to maintain a person’s hair in a strong and healthy condition. It could have the following advantages:
1. Reducing the amount of dandruff
Skin on the scalp that is well-hydrated might provide the appearance of healthier hair. It may be beneficial to massage oil into the scalp before washing and conditioning the hair if the skin is dry or flaky.
Avocado oil applied to the scalp may also be beneficial in reducing the appearance of dandruff. Maintaining skin moisture with the use of oils may assist in preventing it from drying out and peeling.
2. Preventing the occurrence of breakage
If the hair strands are dry and fragile, they are more prone to breaking. The application of a thin layer of oil to the hair can help it become more flexible. When a person brushes or ties their hair up, this may help to prevent the hair from becoming tangled.
A person’s hair should be treated gently in order to prevent breaking. Untangling the hair is made easier by combing the ends first, rather than yanking the brush through the entire length.
People should also avoid using elastic bands instead of hair bands, as well as tying their hair up excessively tightly, as this can cause damage to the hair strands or roots.
Damage can be caused by a variety of factors, including bleaching, heat treatments, and relaxing hair.
It is unlikely that applying avocado oil to damaged hair can restore it to its original condition, but it may assist to prevent additional breaking by lubricating the hair strands.
3. Detangling hair
The application of avocado oil to the ends of the hair may be beneficial in detangling it. Coat the ends of the hair with a small amount of oil, using your fingertips, to make brushing your hair smoother.
Gently comb through tangles with a wide-toothed comb until the hair begins to untangle itself. Continue brushing the hair with a smaller toothed comb or brushes until the ends are completely combed out.
4. Preventing hair from becoming damaged
Pollution, sunshine, seawater, and chlorine, among other environmental factors, can cause a person’s hair shafts to become brittle.
It is possible that applying oil to one’s hair will help to protect it against some of the impacts of environmental degradation in the future. They can apply a small layer of avocado oil to their hair before swimming in the sea or tanning in the sun to protect it. Keeping long hair in a bun or plait will help prevent oil from getting on the skin.
When exposed to direct sunlight, it is essential to wear a hat to protect the head and to apply sunscreen on a regular basis. After coming into touch with seawater or chlorine, rinsing your hair can assist to keep it from drying out.
How to use avocado oil for hair
Avocado oil can be applied to the hair or scalp in a variety of ways, each of which has its own benefits. Avocado oil can be found at supermarkets, health food stores, and on the internet, among other places.
The following methods of applying avocado oil to one’s hair may be beneficial to one’s hair:
1. Scalp massage
It is recommended by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom that hydrating the scalp by rubbing oils into the base of the hair may be beneficial in the treatment of a dry, flaky scalp. Regular application of this method may help to prevent dandruff.
Massage the scalp in the following ways:
- Warm a tiny amount of oil in a bowl by placing it in a jug of hot water or microwaving it for a few seconds until it is warm.
- Using your fingertips or a cotton swab, gently part your hair and massage a small amount of oil into your scalp.
- Massage the oil into the affected parts of the scalp with the tip of your finger, in small, circular motions, to relieve the discomfort.
It is possible that a person will want to leave the oil on their scalp for a brief period of time to allow it to absorb before washing away with their regular shampoo procedure.
2. Hair mask
A mashed avocado can be used as a hair mask by a person. Hair may benefit from the oils in avocados, which may make it appear more lubricated as well as more lustrous and healthier.
How to make an avocado hair mask:
- remove the stone and peel from an avocado, and mash half in a bowl
- add 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of honey
- combine the ingredients
- apply to clean, damp hair and leave for 30 minutes
- rinse hair thoroughly and dry
As a hair treatment, this can be applied once every two weeks if necessary.
- Conditioner
Avocado oil can be used as an intensive conditioner after washing the hair with shampoos, which can cause some people’s hair to become brittle and frizzy. A person who has dry or damaged hair may find this to be particularly beneficial.
After shampooing your hair, apply a tiny amount of avocado oil to your fingertips and run your fingers through your hair from root to tip to seal in the moisture. Repeat the process as many times as necessary to completely coat the hair with oil.
After leaving avocado oil on the hair for a short period of time, rinse the oil out with warm water to remove the oil.
Risks factors
Avocado allergies are not as common as other types of food allergies, although they do arise occasionally. Avocado allergies are becoming more prevalent. If a person is allergic to latex, they should use a reputable source.
Before applying avocado oil to the hair for the first time, a person should test the oil on a small patch of skin before applying it to the entire head of hair. It is recommended that if this therapy creates redness or pain on the surrounding skin, the user discontinues use and substitutes a different oil.
The hair on the head is made up of dead cells. This means that they will not be able to absorb nutrients in the same manner as skin will. A person may feel favourable advantages by applying avocado oil to their hair, but these effects may not continue for a prolonged period of time.
Using products on the hair will not result in increased hair growth. This occurs from within the body, and for the majority of people, it occurs at a consistent rate. Because of this, it is not possible to accelerate it. Eating a nutritious diet may help to promote the growth of healthy, strong hair in certain people.
Conclusion
When hair begins to develop from a hair shaft, it is only capable of absorbing nutrients at this point. Because nutrients are obtained from the body, a good diet is essential for having healthy hair. Incorporating avocado oil into your culinary routine as part of a well-balanced diet may assist to keep your hair moisturised.
Similarly to having good skin, having healthy hair is achieved by eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting adequate sleep.
Cleaning and drying hair on a regular basis, as well as trimming any split ends, is the most effective technique to care for hair. Using avocado oil as a hair mask or conditioner may help to make hair appear shinier and more vibrant.
